Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In times of economic downturn and fiscal restraint, it's important to show leadership and I welcome this amendment to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act that does exactly that. It puts MLAs in a position where we can show our commitment to the public service we provide and to clearly lead on the front of accepting a reduction in our own salaries so we can get to work and find those cost savings that our government now requires to provide the things we were elected on and the same standard of government services that people have relied on. I only wish that...

Yes, I was referring to the northern stakeholder information that was gathered by the government. If the Ministry could also detail what is the government's plan for moving forward on physician-assisted dying in the Northwest Territories following the June 6 deadline? I am looking for specifics, please.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Health and Social Services provide details on the work done to date by this government on regulations for physician-assisted dying? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to thank the Minister for providing those details and showing that the government has done quite a bit of work on this. That’s appreciated. I trust that the government will continue to work with the committee moving forward. This is an issue that is very important and on the minds of many Northerners. I think there is a lot of concern on the part of our communities, and we need to do the best job we can at making people understand what options are available to them and what choices they can now take with it comes to end-of-life care. I look forward to the Minister continuing to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to releasing the details of that public consultation with the members of the Standing Committee on Social Development, and as a public document as well? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Northerners deserve nothing less than the best possible healthcare during their lives that our government can provide. The same is true for end-of-life care. It should be no surprise to any Member of this House that the Supreme Court of Canada ruling on physician-assisted dying places new requirements on governments across Canada. With this rapidly approaching deadline of June 6, 2016, the Government of Canada is obligated to pass legislation permitting physician-assisted dying. Our government must now plan to regulate this process.

The debate on physician...

Nothing further, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I note that there was a decision to transfer the Fur Harvest Management System from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. I'm just wondering if the Minister could inform the committee on why that decision was made and the benefits of the transfer to the operation of this program. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Can the Minister answer if this strategy will include spending money or if it will just be a strategy on paper?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, properly maintained community infrastructure makes our communities safer and more cost-effective, and will provide jobs and economic growth in the short term. Will the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs explain how far along we are with closing the $27-million gap that our communities are lacking? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.